After visitors to Kaohsiung’s Shoushan Zoo noticed that a Formosan black bear is showing “shiny, silver teeth” when eating, the Kaohsiung City Government on Saturday said that they are braces, due to the bear having broken its upper canine teeth, and it is currently undergoing root canal treatment.
The bear — named Bobby — is being treated by a joint team of veterinarians from the Jhonsing Veterinary Clinic and the zoo, Kaohsiung City Government Department of Tourism director-general Kao Min-lin (高閔琳) said.
The zoo became aware of Bobby’s condition in April after noticing that the way the bear eats had changed, she said.
Photo courtesy of Kaohsiung City Government Department of Tourism via CNA
The zoo’s veterinarian discovered that the bear’s upper canines were broken and that the pulp was exposed and bleeding, Kao said.
The zoo began the root canal treatment to prevent the condition worsening, she said.
Fitting the 19-year-old bear with dentures required the zoo to perform two procedures with anesthesia, Kao said, adding that Bobby was able to eat faster than before.
Photo courtesy of Kaohsiung City Government Department of Tourism via CNA
Teeth are critical to an animal’s ability to nourish itself, and feedings are closely observed as a gauge of health, the zoo said.
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